Prosperous soul in the making

MovingForwards

Whoop whoop, you've got loads of good things going on 🤗

Does DH have much to keep himself occupied with as some more 'outside' challenges may assist.

hugglemonster

The gardening sounds great well done, it's so nice when all the little seedlings start to come up and the end product is very satisfying. Well done with the payment to the credit card.

H x

savingholmes

Thanks SSDD23, MF and HM
DH is working from home and is reasonably busy with that. He is also a gamer so sorted. I get him to help me with the gardening where I need him to. He pulled down a wooden support structure that the ivy had been climbing up. I'd noticed under the apple tree it was all mossy which suggested it was getting too much shade. Now it's all open and I can already see more sunlight reaching it. I sat on a stool outside yesterday gathering up stray ivy leaves and pulling out visible roots. I also pruned the apple tree with some telescopic pruners. I am so grateful for the gardening kit we already have! My neighbours bless them have lent me their garden bin today as ours was emptied recently and is already full again.

DS blitzed the kitchen for us yesterday. He's also secured a small amount of freelance work so looking positive. Something for his CV and options for the future. DD is doing better this week - she did very little studying last week. I now have to do some work - but starting with a webinar so that's easier. Grateful DH and I can work from home and so far so can DS. Both DS and DD exercised yesterday so that was a really good start to the week.

clearmydebts

SavingH - you are so positive and energetic through all of this. Can you send some to me! 

MovingForwards

Wow, that's a lot you have done!

I'm glad DH has outside interests, I imagined him being purely focused on work with some pottering in the garden.

It's all sounding promising for DS and DD will find her feet when she is ready.

savingholmes

Thanks MF - DH very much has his own hobbies. As well as a gamer he is also a musician. DH is getting involved in the garden but usually only under direction (nagging). He has just bought a new hose pipe. I am hoping to cut the old one to create hoops to cover with insect/bird mesh to protect our old veggies. He had to go into work briefly today but most people working from home so fairly safe. 

Thanks CMD - I think your kids are a different age - which comes with its own challenges I am sure. My kids need for attention is shorter and more sporadic probably which helps. I can also get them to do more - although that's mainly DS rather than DD. Both kids exercised today and so did DH. I did 2 x 1 hour slots in the garden. I am someone that has to be constantly busy. I was also mainly working from home even before lockdown - and have loads of hobbies so that defo helps. If I lob you some positivity over now can you catch? Full pay for both of us also helps. 

I've spent the whole evening filling out a financial questionnaire ready for a pension appointment I have coming up. If all goes well I will then be able to progress with transferring my pension at mega exorbitant costs. I will then have met my SIPP goal and hopefully be well on the way towards early retirement. Gathering the data together also means that my life insurance and pension docs are all together in a logical place which was one of my goals from a while ago. I checked my financial forecast for state pension and it has gone up slightly with me having worked longer and the rate changes. It is correct at April 19. DH has somehow accrued at least 50p more per week than me - I think it is because I had the odd gap but I am not sure. Still on track to meet state pension 30 year contribution requirements by age 54. I think child benefit definitely helped me there as I did have some employment gaps here and there. 

Good night all. 

Honeysucklelou2

That’s a great idea to recycle an old hose pipe. Might have to do that myself as I’ve lost a lot of cauliflower plants to rabbits.

Has your DS finished all his uni work now?

savingholmes

Hi HSL - yes he has. He's hoping for a mid 2-1 which is where he was upto his last three assignments which were all completed while he was ill in March. He got firsts on 2 of those but still waiting the details on a third. What we don't know though his how they will apportion stuff now there are no exams. Also don't know yet if he will have to pay accommodation - but given it was due 5 weeks ago we are hoping not. He still needs to go back and empty it a some point though as he left his passport among other things!

savingholmes

Well today has been a good day. I've worked. Had a catch up with a colleague which was nice. Didn't even remember to take my tablets until gone half 3. Played with the dog. Done some more gardening - mainly planting some seeds and topping up potatoes with soil and some watering. My pea shoots are finally sprouting which is ironic as today I gave up and planted some in a tray. Will cut the end of the tray (ex tomato holder) when come to plant. Also planted some celery and carrots. 

DH and I even made time to sit outside and have a cuppa.  That's when we decided DH could prune a butterfly bush - so we've just kept new growth coming from the base and trimmed even that to 5 ft. It was about 4 times as wide and twice as tall it is now  - even though I only cut it back a few weeks ago. I've stripped the leaves off the sticks and kept some for plant supports or burning later in a fire pit. The weather has been amazing. Still want to sow some radish and some flowers called 'ranunculus'. But first I need to have some tea.

PurpleFairy26

Sounds like a lovely day. Typical on the seeds sprouting!